Mason Conservation District

The board reviewed and accepted the financial report for December 2025. Updates were provided on legislative activity, including House Bill 2499 concerning conservation district elections, and anticipated budget cuts. Staff reported on moving projects towards construction, year-end finance activities, and efforts to fill the Shore Friendly Coordinator position. New business included the approval of a hedgerow planting project (SIA-01-26 SH) costing $10,000 with 90% cost share. The board authorized the chair to sign an agreement with the Skokomish Tribe for grant funds to support the Upper South Fork Phase 6 construction project. The construction contract for the Skokomish SF LWD project was awarded to Quigg Bros., Inc. for $2,336,925.39. The 2026 Annual Budget and Salary Schedule, which includes a 2.8% COLA increase and a two-step increase for the Executive Director, was approved, budgeting total revenue at $12,123,039.46 and expenditures at $11,903,583.76. Finally, the board approved putting a 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 up for surplus.

The Board of Supervisors meeting included a review and acceptance of the November 2025 financial report. Program updates covered ongoing nonpoint source assessments and outreach process evaluations by ECY, staff catching up on assistance requests during the holidays, workshops, and planning for a clean water event in January. Staff is also preparing to fill the Shore Friendly Coordinator position and planning maintenance in a fenced area. New business involved the approval of two VSP cost share applications for high tunnel systems, one for South Sound and one for Hood Canal. The Board approved a subaward agreement of $185,431 from the Hood Canal Coordinating Council to continue technical assistance through September 2027. Additionally, Rhonda Nydegger was appointed as the election supervisor, and Resolution 2025-4 was approved to set the 2026 Board of Supervisors election date for March 24, 2026. Finally, the Board authorized signing an agreement with the US Forest Service for the Upper South Fork Skokomish Large Wood Enhancement, Phase VI project.

The meeting included updates from WSCC, WACD, NRCS, and ECY. Staff provided updates on maintenance, site preparation, farm team activities, Skokomish projects, digital archiving, and finance. The District was awarded the Northwest Area Conservation District of the Year by SCC. New business included discussions and approvals for SCC VSP and Shellfish Cost Share Amendments, SCC Natural Resources Investments Addendum, WSDA Resiliency Grant Agreement, SCC Grant Addendum 26-12-CH, RCO Grant 25-1272 Grant Amendment, Decker Creek Project Professional Services Contract, HCSEG Subaward Agreement, RCO Grant 24-1097 Grant Agreement, Skokomish Tribe Professional Services Agreement, RCO Grant 25-1008 Agreement, RCO Grant 25-1007 Agreement, SCC Authorized Signatures Form, and an updated Purchasing Manual.

The meeting included updates from WSCC and WACD. The board discussed the RCO Project R24-1203, Gosnell Creek LWD and Fish Passage grant, and approved Board Resolution 2025-1 for RCO pertaining to multiple projects. The Russell Family Foundation grant award was approved for outdoor field education. The board also approved the ILA addendum with Mason County Public Works for the Lynch Creek Restoration. Several cost share applications were approved, and the contract amendment with Anchor QEA for the Skokomish Valley project was discussed and approved.

The meeting included updates from WSCC, NRCS, and ECY. Staff provided updates on upcoming trainings, forestry programs, lead entity activity, bulkhead removal projects, knotweed treatment, and updates to the Purchasing Manual and Employee Handbook. The Board discussed and approved accepting a charitable corpus donation from the dissolving HOPE Garden Project. They also approved grant agreements and amendments related to riparian restoration, salmon habitat protection, and various funding programs. Additionally, they discussed health insurance renewal, a log harvest and haul contract, and agreements related to technical support, shore-friendly initiatives, forest health, sustainable farms, and shellfish programs.